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The Delaware Canal Towpath: Linking History and Remembrance on the 9/11 National Memorial Trail
The Delaware Canal has existed since the 1830s—nearly 200 years. Construction of the canal was completed in 1832, and it operated commercially until 1931. Initially, only 40 miles of the canal were designated as a state park in 1931, but by 1940, the entire 58.9 miles were preserved.
Years ago, a group of neighbors recognized the value of the canal and towpath, spanning the length of Bucks County, and worked to protect it. This effort led to the creation of the Friends of the Delaware Canal (FODC).
The Friends have played a key role in preserving and enhancing the canal. Their advocacy ranges from meeting with legislators to managing significant projects, such as bridge restoration, installing 9/11 Memorial benches, placing towpath mile markers, and adding wayfinding signs. The Friends also engage and educate the community through curated walks, talks, bike rides, and paddling events.
The canal and towpath are integral to the 9/11 National Memorial Trail. Twenty miles of the towpath, from Morrisville/Trenton to Lumberville, are part of this 1,500-mile trail. Although only 20 miles of the 9/11 National Memorial Trail traverse the canal towpath, this section has a profound connection to the events of September 11, 2001.
In 2004, the Friends installed 17 teak benches along the towpath to honor the 17 Bucks County residents who died on September 11, 2001. Fourteen of these benches are located within the 20 miles of the trail that is part of the 9/11 Memorial Trail. Each bench features a plaque commemorating one of the victims from Bucks County.
Another significant memorial connected to this trail is the Garden of Reflection, located about two miles from the towpath in Lower Makefield Township, PA. Accessible via Woodside Road at milepost 15.2, this memorial was created to remember the 2,973 lives lost on September 11, 2001, with special recognition of the 17 Bucks County victims.
Situated within the 62-acre Memorial Park, the Garden itself spans 2.5 acres and is surrounded by a 2-acre Oak Garden Arboretum. Construction of the memorial was completed in time for a dedication ceremony on the fifth anniversary of the attacks in 2006. Among those memorialized is Victor Saracini of Yardley, the pilot of United Airlines Flight 175, which struck the North Tower of the World Trade Center. His wife, Ellen Saracini, was instrumental in creating the Garden of Reflection.
The canal and towpath remain an essential part of Bucks County, offering a unique and accessible experience for hikers and bikers alike. This 58.9-mile greenway is a treasure worth preserving for future generations.
If you’d like to learn more about the Friends of the Delaware Canal and how you can get involved, visit their website at www.fodc.org. The Alliance encourages all to visit the Delaware Canal and the Garden of Reflection via the 9/11 Trail to experience these national treasures!
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